Mercury-arc rectifier



MERCURY ARC RECTIFI ER Filed May 20. 1950 INVENTOR Nor/T2 Shire/me! Patented Aug. 16, 1932 entree stares mm? was MORITZ SCHENKEL, or BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG, GERMANY, 'AssIeNoR' T0 wns'r- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING, COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01? runn- SYLVANIA Application filed May 20, 1930, Serial No. 454,044, and. in Germany June 4:, 1929.

My invention relates to mercury-arc rectifiers, and particularly to such rectifiers as the tendency to back-fire.

It is an object of my invention to provide a rectifier having a grid common to all. of the anodes so that the discharge path is not unduly restricted by the presence of the grid.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a rectifier having a lowvapor pressure in the vicinity of the anode. Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

The single figure is a sectional elevation of arectifier embodying my invention.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawing comprises a rectifier having a metal container 1 and a plurality of anodes 2 therein. In the bottom of the tank is'a reconstructing cathode 3 preferably of mercury. The anodes 2 are preferably arranged in annular formation in the top of the tank. Each of the anodes is provided with a shield 4 of any desired configuration.

Suspended in the central portion of the tank, is a ring cooler 5 providing a condens ing chamber 6 in the central portion of the tank. The condensing chamber 6 is so placed that mercury vapor rising from the cathode 3 will normally pass into it.

An annular grid 7 is placed between the ring cooler and the side walls of the tank to be in the discharge path from each of the anodes 2. The common grid permits the arc to pass through without material restriction. In this manner, the arc density is practically constant throughout the total arcj anodes play through the common grid 7 in such manner as tobe practically unrestricted. Y

The grid, however, materially'restricts the upward flow of mercury vapor into the anode spaces to such degree that the tendency to back-fire is materially reduced.

The annular condensing chamber 6, by providing a convenient condensing surface, pres vents mercury vapor from flowing up through the center of the tank and returningthrough the anode space.

I do not wish to restrict myself to the specific embodiment of my invention herein shown and described since it is apparent that it may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as defined in'the appended claims.

I claim as my invention :7 p

' 1. A mercury-arc rectifier comprising a tank, a plurality of anodes disposed in annular formation in said tank, a vaporizable cathode in said tank, an annular condensing chamber disposed within the anode circle, an individual anode shield for each of said anodes, an annular grid common to all of said anodes and substantially filling the space between said condensing chamber and the wall of said tank.

2. A mercury-arc rectifier comprising a tank, a plurality ofanodes in said tank, a vaporizable cathode in said tank, a condensing chamber in said tank so positioned as to receive a large part of the vapor rising from said cathode, and a grid common to all of said-anodes, said grid having an opening therethrough for providing an unob- 1sjtructed entrance to said condensing cham- 3. A mercury-arc rectifier comprising a metal tank, a plurality of anodes in said tank, a reconstructing cathode in said tank, a ring cooler in the central portion of said tank, and an annular grid common to all of said anodes and filling the space between said ring cooler and the walls of said tank. 4. A mercury-arc rectifier comprising a metal tank, a plurality vof anodes in said tank, a vaporizable reconstructing cathode in said tank, an individual anode shield on each of said anodes, a grid between said cathode and said anodes, said grid being common to all of said anodes, a condensing chamber in the tank,'said grid having an opening for providing a direct vapor passage from the cathode to the condensing chamber. I

5. A mercury-arc rectifier comprising-a metal tank, a plurality of anodes in said tank, a vaporizable reconstructing cathode in said tank, an individual anode shield on each of said anodes, a grid between said cathode and said anodes, said grid being common to all of said anodes, and individual grids for the respective anodes.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this th day of April, 1930. MORITZ SCHENKEL. 

